The Raven and the Rose

Chapter 1

Traveling the winding paths of the dark forest behind the old cotton factory in our village proved to be a good way to spend my time. I did not have any friends to be around so during my lunch hour, I normally sat at the fountain to eat, all the while waching the other girls play with dolls and talk about fancy things like royal balls, and kings and queens. not to mention the older of them giggling and whispering about thier little crushes. I didn't have a boy that i crushed on. most of the boys around there sneered at me when i walked by. I did not talk to many people, and when i did it was the librarian. He was a quirky character, yet very kind to me. He was quite young for a librarian, but one day while i was checking out a book he told me he was leaving for a job change and that he wished me the best. that was the last time i saw him. Since then i have not spoke a word to any of the young folk.

Two years later a letter appeared in the mail addressed to me. the letter was from a Mr. Kendrik Martin. I just sat there astounded. What on earth could the Prince of Decesare want with me? I opened the letter, and this is what it read:

Dear, Mrs. Kael

I have written this letter as a personal invitation to the ball tomarrow night, we have much to discuss. This invitation is not optional it is completely nessesary. I have heard that you are not one for dresses so i have arranged for the town's best tayor to prepare a fit dress for you to wear. Please understand that I am not kidnapping you. I am helping you. Your Father was a good man. I intend for his daughter to grow up well established. A carriage will be there at Precisely 7:00 in the morning. there is much preparation to do. I will meet you at the ball and we will discuss the manor during our dance. Please forgive me for this sudden event. I am a very busy man, with a tight schedual. Until then, my lady, I bid you farewell.

sincerely,

Prince Kendrick

I frowned. So.....a ball....dresses....heels....this should be interesting. i thought to myself.

The next morning i got dressed and headed out the door and got in the carriage. The other girls watched me in envy as i rode off. i couldn't help but smile to myself as they glared. I guess it wasn't that bad aterall. If only mother could be here. I could just hear her babbling on about how happy she was for me. It made me smile to think about it. the carriage stopped and the driver escorted me to the door to the taylor's shop, where she greeted me sweetly, and took me to the back. She fashioned it into neat curls that spiraled over my shoulders. I had to admit, i felt pretty. She then pulled out a Ruby hair pin and pu t it in my hair in the side front. You looked in the mirror and touched it. She smiled. "My My now you look wonderful! This hair pin suits you well. the Prince must know you well!" she said. "Actually i have never met him. Its kind of odd how he knows me so well." I said. she laughed. "the Prince has a keen eye for beauty, perhaps he saw you in the gardens or something. she smiled getting out a red dress. I put the dress on. you gasped in shock that I looked so beautiful. I smiled putting on your heels. I smiled and grabbed the mask.

When I arrived at the ball, a man came up and handed me a red rose. I accepted the rose and smiled walking into the ballroom. The announcer welcomed me as everyone stared at me and some sneered in envy at my rather elite attire. A man walked up to me taking me to the dance floor and twirling me. I frowned. " i am here as a guest for the prince." i said. He smiled. " yes and what would one dance hurt?" I glared again. "tempor tempor! I am sure that the prince would grant me at least one small dance!" he said smirking. You gave in and danced with him. "now everyone remove your masks and see your dance partner!" I removed it as he did and gasped when I saw who it was. It was the librarian from two years ago. He smiled big and bowed. "My lady! I Have to go tend to some business" he said smiling slipping away not noticed by anyone. The announcer announced the prince and everyone looked towards the grand staircase. As you mimiced their actions you saw the librarian fleeting down the stairs confidently. "Would Dania Kael please come to the front?" he asked loudly as the other girls in the ballroom glared enviously at you. You walked up to the Prince of Desesare whom you had spent your days in the library with. He smiled at you and took you off as the music started back up and he began to dance with you once again. " I knew you would come! I have been eager to meet back up with you!" he said tilting you backwards and bringing you back up. "Well i would have been nice to know that you were a prince." you said snarkily. He laughed. "yes well i couldnt have you without making that adorable confused face of yours!~" he said smirking. You glared at him. "Watch it Mr. wise guy" you said. He laughed. "Tempor tempor!~ you shouldn't speak to your prince like that!" he said smiling smugly. You glared blushing. "You are no prince of mine got that." you said. He laughed. " Whatever you say my dear!" The song ended and he twirled you and brought you against him. "Tik Tok my dear!~" he whispered into your ear vanishing into thin air. When you gathered what just happened you noticed a note inside the top of your dress. You turned red and grew annoyed. 'damn rich people' you thought. This was going to be an annoying night for me.